HIV disrupts blood-brain barrier
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 - 19:30
in Health & Medicine
Astrocytes (pictured in green) help to support blood vessels (red) that act as the blood‑brain barrier ‑ a network that keeps potentially harmful chemicals and toxins out of the brain.... HIV weakens the blood-brain barrier — a network of blood vessels that keeps potentially harmful chemicals and toxins out of the brain — by overtaking a small group of supporting brain cells, according to a new study in the June 29 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience. The findings may help explain why some people living with HIV experience neurological complications, despite the benefits of modern drug regimens that keep them living longer.